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News from Office of School Partnerships: UML Grad School of Ed
From Director Judith Boccia, Office of School Partnerships, UMass Lowell Graduate School of Education, in the first issue of the OSP electronic newsletter:
“November marked the completion of the first year of the U.S. Department of Education-funded Teaching American History (TAH) Project, titled “Imagination, Invention & Innovation: The Making of American History.”
“A partnership involving the Office of School Partnerships and eight school districts in the Greater Boston Area, with Billerica Public Schools as the lead district, “Imagination, Invention & Innovation” served 38 history and social studies teachers from elementary, middle and high schools.
“The first year focused on the history of Native Americans, European conquest, Colonial North America, the Revolution and the Early Republic. These topics were covered during an intensive week-long Summer Institute that incorporated lectures, book discussions, media presentations and a field trip to Minuteman National Historical Park. In addition, teachers participated in seminars, book discussions and an April study tour to Philadelphia and Independence National Park.
“The final event featured a lively evening with noted author of children’s books, Kay Winters, whose historically-based Colonial Voices book is used in many elementary school classrooms. Winters highlighted the creative process in conceptualizing, researching, and writing illustrated historical works for young students, as well as the joys and challenges of collaborating with artists and editors in producing her books. Nearly 50 teachers, school administrators, UMass Lowell faculty and OSP staff attended the festive program held at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum.
“The second year of the three-year project, which began in January with a performance by actor Guy Peartree, as abolitionist Frederick Douglass, will cover a number of topics including American slavery and its legacy, immigration, reform, and the struggle for equality. ”
“For more information, visit the Imagination, Invention & Innovation web site. ”